Jimmy Carter, the United States’ longest-lived president, was never afraid of speaking his mind. Forthright and fearless, the Nobel Prize winner took pot-shots at former prime minister Tony Blair and ex-US president George W Bush among others. His death came after repeated bouts of illness in which images of the increasingly frail former president failed to erase memories of his fierce spirit. Democrat James Earl “Jimmy” Carter Jr swept to power in 1977 with his Trust Me campaign helping to beat Republican president Gerald Ford. Serving as 39th US president from 1977 to 1981, he sought to make government “competent and compassionate” but was ousted by the unstoppable Hollywood appeal of a certain Ronald Reagan. A skilled sportsman, Mr Carter left his home of Plains, Georgia, to join the US Navy, returning later to run his family’s peanut business. A stint in the Georgia senate lit the touchpaper on his political career and he rose to the top of the Democratic movement. But he will also be remembered for a bizarre encounter with a deeply disgruntled opponent. The president was enjoying a relaxing fishing trip near his home town in 1979 when his craft was attacked by a furious swamp rabbit which reportedly swam up to the boat hissing wildly. The press had a field day, with one paper bearing the headline President Attacked By Rabbit. Away from encounters with belligerent bunnies, Mr Carter’s willingness to address politically uncomfortable topics did not diminish with age. He recently said that he would be willing to travel to North Korea for peace talks on behalf of US President Donald Trump. He also famously mounted a ferocious and personal attack on Tony Blair over the Iraq war, weeks before the prime minister left office in June 2007. Mr Carter, who had already denounced George W Bush’s presidency as “the worst in history”, used an interview on BBC radio to condemn Mr Blair for his tight relations with Mr Bush, particularly concerning the Iraq War. Asked how he would characterise Mr Blair’s relationship with Mr Bush, Mr Carter replied: “Abominable. Loyal, blind, apparently subservient. “I think that the almost undeviating support by Great Britain for the ill-advised policies of President Bush in Iraq have been a major tragedy for the world.” Mr Carter was also voluble over the Rhodesia crisis, which was about to end during his presidency. His support for Robert Mugabe at the time generated widespread criticism. He was said to have ignored the warnings of many prominent Zimbabweans, black and white, about what sort of leader Mugabe would be. This was seen by Mr Carter’s critics as “deserving a prominent place among the outrages of the Carter years”. Mr Carter has since said he and his administration had spent more effort and worry on Rhodesia than on the Middle East. He admitted he had supported two revolutionaries in Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo, and with hindsight said later that Mugabe had been “a good leader gone bad”, having at first been “a very enlightened president”. One US commentator wrote: “History will not look kindly on those in the West who insisted on bringing the avowed Marxist Mugabe into the government. “In particular, the Jimmy Carter foreign policy... bears some responsibility for the fate of a small African country with scant connection to American national interests.” In recent years Mr Carter developed a reputation as an international peace negotiator. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his commitment to finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts, his work with human rights and democracy initiatives, and his promotion of economic and social programmes. Mr Carter was dispatched to North Korea in August 2008 to secure the release of US citizen Aijalon Mahli Gomes, who had been sentenced to eight years of hard labour after being found guilty of illegally entering North Korea. He successfully secured the release of Mr Gomes. In 2010 he returned to the White House to greet President Barack Obama and discuss international affairs amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula. Proving politics runs in the family, in 2013 his grandson Jason, a state senator, announced his bid to become governor in Georgia, where his famous grandfather governed before becoming president. He eventually lost to incumbent Republican Nathan Deal. Fears that Mr Carter’s health was deteriorating were sparked in 2015 when he cut short an election observation visit in Guyana because he was “not feeling well”. It would have been Mr Carter’s 39th trip to personally observe an international election. Three months later, on August 12, he revealed he had cancer which had been diagnosed after he underwent surgery to remove a small mass in his liver. Mr Obama was among the well-wishers hoping for Mr Carter’s full recovery after it was confirmed the cancer had spread widely. Melanoma had been found in his brain and liver, and Mr Carter underwent immunotherapy and radiation therapy, before announcing in March the following year that he no longer needed any treatment. In 2017, Mr Carter was taken to hospital as a precaution, after he became dehydrated at a home-building project in Canada. He was admitted to hospital on multiple occasions in 2019 having had a series of falls, suffering a brain bleed and a broken pelvis, as well as a stint to be treated for a urinary tract infection. Mr Carter spent much of the coronavirus pandemic largely at his home in Georgia, and did not attend Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration in 2021, but extended his “best wishes”. Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, the closest adviser to Mr Carter during his term as US president, died in November 2023. She had been living with dementia and suffering many months of declining health. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Mr Carter said in a statement following her death. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.” We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.What we can VERIFY about Enron’s return to the internetJudge again rejects the Elon Musk Tesla pay plan now valued at $101 billion
NEW YORK : Policymakers aiming to recommend safeguards for artificial intelligence are facing a formidable challenge: science that is still evolving. AI developers themselves are grappling with how to prevent abuse of novel systems, offering no easy fix for government authorities to embrace, Elizabeth Kelly, director of the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute, said on Tuesday. Cybersecurity is an area of concern according to Kelly, speaking at the Reuters NEXT conference in New York. Ways to bypass guard rails that AI labs established for security and other topics, called "jailbreaks," can be easy, she said. "It is difficult for policymakers to say these are best practices we recommend in terms of safeguards, when we don't actually know which ones work and which ones don't," Kelly said. Technology experts are hashing out how to vet and protect AI across different dimensions. Another area regards synthetic content. Tampering with digital watermarks, which flag to consumers when images are AI-generated, remains too easy for authorities to devise guidance for industry, she said. The U.S. AI Safety Institute, created under the Biden administration, is addressing such concerns via academic, industry and civil society partnerships that inform its tech evaluations, Kelly said. She said AI safety is a "fundamentally bipartisan issue," when asked what will happen to the body after Donald Trump takes office in January. The institute's first director, Kelly recently presided over the inaugural gathering of AI safety institutes from around the world, which took place last month in San Francisco. Asked about the outcome of these meetings, Kelly said the 10 country members were working toward interoperable safety tests with the help of more technical, hoodie-wearing experts than in a typical diplomatic meeting. "It was very much getting the nerds in the room," she said.Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster, has died from cancer, according to a statement from family released by CBS on Friday. He was 78. “He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten,” his wife Marcy Gumbel and daughter Michelle Gumbel said in a statement. In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Tournament since 1997 due to what he said at the time were family health issues. Gumbel was the studio host for CBS since returning to the network from NBC in 1998. Gumbel signed an extension with CBS last year that allowed him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL announcing duties. In 2001, he announced Super Bowl XXXV for CBS, becoming the first Black announcer in the U.S. to call play-by-play of a major sports championship. David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, described Greg Gumbel as breaking barriers and setting standards for others during his years as a voice for fans in sports, including in the NFL and March Madness. “A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time," said Berson. Gumbel had two stints at CBS, leaving the network for NBC when it lost football in 1994 and returning when it regained the contract in 1998. He hosted CBS’ coverage of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and called Major League Baseball games during its four-year run broadcasting the national pastime. But it was football and basketball where he was best known and made his biggest impact. Gumbel hosted CBS’ NFL studio show, “The NFL Today” from 1990 to 1993 and again in 2004. He also called NFL games as the network’s lead play-by-play announcer from 1998 to 2003, including Super Bowl XXXV and XXXVIII. He returned to the NFL booth in 2005, leaving that role after the 2022 season.
Alien abduction crews always come in teams of four beings an abductee has claimed. Ariel Phenomenon filmmaker, Randall Nickerson, was speaking on the channel about what he believed to be the real experiences of people being kidnapped by beings. The documentary maker claims to have had a number of encounters with aliens, and it forged his decision to make an incident where 62 children in Zimbabwe witnessed a . He said the beings he met were a team of . His account comes as , but we had a battle on our hands to communicate with them. For his part though, Randall shared that he has had a very close encounter, and several times with the same team. "I've only seen a very small part of this population, whoever these things are," he said. "I've seen a science team multiple times. And they were the same crew, you can feel it." Randall told his host that the beings were biological and not machines, adding that they were very real. "They come in four, every single time," he said. "There's something about the number four. It's every single time. Four of them." Randall went on to describe the smell of his encounter being similar to burnt lint, adding that he was 11-years-old when he first described that experience. "I did remember some things (from the abduction), but I don't tend to put as much stock as I do with what I saw with my own eyes, and felt with my own body. "We discussed it in my family. There were some events that occurred. "It took me 20 years to believe it myself." But Randall says the whole experience shook him, and continues to do so, so he doesn't read into people who have had similar experiences. "I stay away from the books, because I don't need to read them. "I just get more traumatized "It reminds me of stuff I have isolated from my memory." He has, however, spoken to people who have had experiences, and noted the types of individuals aliens pick up on. "Some of these abductees are off the chart geniuses," he said. "They have photographic memories. He continued: "I think it's a mix of range, and I think there's multiple reasons. "But I definitely noticed the brain part, because I've met so many crazy intelligent people. "Females and males, and then there's another element that maybe they picked, I don't know, for genetic reasons." One empathetic viewer, taken by Randall's account, said: "When he talks about not reading the books bc he doesn't have to..... I'm a domestic violence survivor. "And everything that I was involved in at the time, I just totally stopped. Facebook, music, certain places, even close friends. I just had to stop all of it bc of the trauma. It's been years, and I'm in a much better place. But there are certain things I just cannot be a part of anymore. God bless him." Another believer wrote: "I have numerous friends who have been abducted. I had very little interest in this kind of stuff until I was very close to a massive, triangular UFO and some co-workers got abducted in 1994. Yep, the cr*p sounds bonkers...sounds nuts. It happened. This guy has screaming PTSD and the general public is so weird - everyone's 'bs meter is going off'...yada yada yada. Nobody has any reason, whatsoever, to invent a story of abduction. What - this guy is lying to be famous or, at the age of 57 or something, to be on The Danny Jones podcast? "There's no upside, whatsoever, to telling this sort of story - think about it. The guy has dedicated his life to investigating this stuff and has produced a couple of documentaries. In fact he kind of flies under the radar. The guy's not lying. And there are thousands of reports of this kind." The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us! Through the app, we'll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens...along with the latest breaking news of course. To join our community, all you have to do to join is , select 'Join Chat' and you're in! No one will be able to see who has sign up and no one can send messages except for the Daily Star team. We also treat our community members to competitions, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our .Matrigel Market Insights: In-Depth Analysis of Key Players and Market Dynamics 11-23-2024 12:12 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: Valuates Reports Matrigel Market Size The global Matrigel market is projected to grow from US$ 85 million in 2024 to US$ 163.3 million by 2030, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.5% during the forecast period. Get Free Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-4W13526/Global_Matrigel_Market_Insights_Forecast_to_2029 Major Trends The global Matrigel market is expanding due to the increasing demand for advanced cell culture platforms in research and development, particularly in the fields of cancer research, regenerative medicine, and drug discovery. Matrigel, a gelatinous protein mixture derived from the extracellular matrix of mouse sarcoma, is widely used as a substrate for cell culture, allowing researchers to study cell behavior, differentiation, and interaction in a 3D environment. The rising prevalence of cancer and the growing focus on personalized medicine are driving the demand for Matrigel in research laboratories and pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, the use of Matrigel in tissue engineering and organoid development is further contributing to market growth. However, challenges such as the high cost of Matrigel and ethical concerns related to animal-derived products may limit its widespread adoption. Matrigel Market Share Global key players of Matrigel include Corning and Thermo Fisher Scientific, etc. The top two players hold a share over 73%. US & Canada is the largest market, has a share about 38%. In terms of product type, Contains Phenol Red is the largest segment, occupied for a share of about 68%, and in terms of application, Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Companies has a share about 73 percent. Matrigel Market Trends A significant trend in the Matrigel market is the increasing use of Matrigel in cancer research. Matrigel provides a 3D environment that mimics the in vivo tumor microenvironment, making it an essential tool for studying cancer cell behavior, metastasis, and drug resistance. Researchers are using Matrigel-based models to screen potential cancer therapies and develop personalized treatment plans, driving demand for Matrigel in oncology research. As the global burden of cancer continues to rise, the demand for Matrigel in cancer research is expected to grow. Another trend is the growing focus on the use of Matrigel in organoid research. Organoids are 3D structures that mimic the architecture and function of human organs, making them valuable tools for studying disease progression, drug response, and tissue development. Matrigel serves as a critical scaffold for organoid culture, providing the necessary support for organoid formation and growth. The increasing use of organoids in drug discovery and regenerative medicine is driving demand for Matrigel as a versatile cell culture platform. Additionally, the rise of ethical and sustainability concerns is shaping the future of the Matrigel market. As researchers and organizations become more conscious of animal welfare, there is growing interest in developing alternatives to Matrigel that do not rely on animal-derived products. Efforts to create synthetic or plant-based extracellular matrix substitutes are gaining traction, with the goal of offering researchers more ethical and sustainable options for cell culture. While these alternatives are still in the early stages of development, they could potentially disrupt the Matrigel market in the future. Purchase Chapters: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-4W13526/global-matrigel/1 By Type •Contains Phenol Red •Phenol Red Free By Application •Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Companies •Research and Academic Institutes Key Companies R&D Systems, MegaRobo, ACROBiosystems, Yeasen Biotechnology, Live Biotechnology, Beyotime, Solarbio Science & Technology, Mogengel Biotechnology View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-4W13526/global-matrigel Please reach us at sales@valuates.com Address: Valuates, 4th Floor, Balaraj's Arcade, Whitefield Main road, Bangalore 560066 Valuates offers an extensive collection of market research reports that helps companies to take intelligent strategical decisions based on current and forecasted Market trends. This release was published on openPR.
Despite a resounding defeat at the hands of Ronald Reagan in 1980, the Democrat forged a new path promoting causes such as electoral probity abroad, social justice and drives to rid the world of medical conditions. His first foreign visit as president was to the UK where then prime minister James Callaghan, as well as the usual visits in London, took his guest to the North East with a visit to Newcastle, Sunderland and Washington – the village bearing the name of the first ever president. Mr Carter delighted crowds in the North East by saying “Howay the lads” during a speech to the assembled throng. He also received a miner’s lamp from 12-year-old Ian McEree in Washington. The 39th US president also carried out more traditional presidential duties, including meetings with western European leaders during his time in London while the Cold War was still ongoing. The practising Baptist continued his globetrotting ways after leaving power, even without Air Force One as his vehicle. He was also part of the Elders, a group of experienced statesmen and women drawn from all corners of the world.Year-end tax planning tipsRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislative Republicans moved closer Monday to enacting a measure that would erode the powers of the incoming governor and other Democratic officials, and also placing on the ballot constitutional amendments that could buttress GOP voting and tax policies. Along party lines, the GOP-dominated state Senate voted successfully to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's veto of a bill that in part would weaken Gov.-elect Josh Stein, the next attorney general in Jeff Jackson and other Democrats also elected in November as lieutenant governor and schools superintendent. Those changes are within a 131-page measure initially approved two weeks ago during a lame-duck session of the General Assembly. Republicans advanced the measure as their current veto-proof majority over Cooper likely will end after this month as Democrats won additional House seats. That will give Stein, who takes office in January, a better chance to use his veto stamp to block successfully bills he opposes. Cooper vetoed the measure last week , calling the bill a “sham” that does very little financially to help with Hurricane Helene recovery, even as “disaster relief” was included in the bill's title. He also said provisions altering executive branch powers were unconstitutional. One provision starting in the spring would end the governor's authority to appoint the State Board of Elections and transfer it to the state auditor, who will now be Republican Dave Boliek. The bill now returns to the House, where last month three Republicans voted against the measure. Such a margin, if left intact, could scuttle the attempted override expected next week. Senate leader Phil Berger said after Monday’s vote he was confident that House Republicans would have the votes to complete the override. Even then, litigation is possible. The GOP-controlled legislature has tried to change the election board’s makeup for several years by passing laws that have been blocked by courts, including one last year that would move board appointment authority from the governor to the General Assembly. As with the Senate's initial debate on the bill two weeks ago, the chamber gallery was full of bill opponents who call it a Republican power grab after the electorate chose Democrats to top positions in the Nov. 5 elections. Republicans are “not listening to the voters in North Carolina,” said demonstrator Della Hann, 64, of Southport. “There are checks and balances in government and they need to be respected.” But Berger said in a news release that the provisions "actually balance our three branches of state government so that North Carolina remains on a positive trajectory, free from Democratic party and liberal activist obstruction.” Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the Senate's presiding officer, ordered the Senate gallery cleared last month when visitors clapped once too often during a debate on the measure. On Monday, Robinson cleared the gallery again following disruptions after Cooper's veto message was read and right before the vote. “Everybody's got to go,” Robinson said before calling for a 10-minute recess. To avoid potential arrest, protesters left the Legislative Building or quieted down outside the gallery. Senate Republicans proceeded later to approve in separate bills proposed amendments to the North Carolina Constitution related to photo voter identification and a cap on income taxes. Each received 30 votes — exactly the number needed for a constitutional referendum. To be placed on ballots statewide in November 2026, these measures still would have to be voted on by the House by the end of the year and receive 72 votes. Constitutional amendments aren't subject to vetoes. One proposed referendum would, if approved by a majority of voters, amend the constitution to say all North Carolina voters must show photo identification before voting. The constitution currently only specifies that it's required for in-person voting. ID exceptions are allowed now and would remain with the amendment. The other referendum would set a rate cap on income taxes at 5%, down from the current 7%. Individual and corporate income tax rates are currently both below 5% in the state, and state laws separate from the constitution already direct that people voting by mail provide a photocopy of a qualifying identification. Senate Republicans backing the ID question said it's important to ensure that all forms of voting will be treated equally going forward as it relates to photo ID, which the GOP successfully got approved in 2018 but didn't take effect until last year. And with Republicans approving multiple income tax reductions over the years that have boosted the state economy, Cabarrus County Republican Sen . Paul Newton said, it's time again to let voters decide whether they should remain permanently lower. Democrats opposed to a lower tax cap say the state is already facing revenue challenges in light of lower tax rates that will make it harder to address major spending needs. Gary D. Robertson, The Associated Press